Whether bedridden, chairbound, or using crutches, reduced mobility doesn’t eliminate the need to exercise. Reduced mobility can be due to frailty, balance issues, or other physical problems. It doesn’t why you have limited movement, exercising is vital. If the situation is temporary, maintaining your endurance and muscle mass speeds recovery and back to your active lifestyle. Whether temporary or permanent, exercise helps you stay healthier and improves your endurance and self-reliance. Never start an exercise program without checking with your healthcare professional.
Identify your limitations and start with exercises they don’t affect.
If you can’t get out of bed or are limited to a seated position, upper body exercises are excellent. Raising your arms in the air and crisscrossing them is also good. You can even use resistance bands to maintain upper body strength. If you have leg or foot movement, pull your toes toward your head by bending your ankles and pushing your heels forward, then reversing the action and pointing your toes to keep leg muscles more flexible. Simple lower body exercises like lifting one leg, holding the position, and slowly lowering the leg can be beneficial.
If you’re just starting to exercise, take it easy and in short sessions.
Limited mobility isn’t necessary for that advice to be appropriate. If you’re in shape and mobility issues are recent, find ways to modify your old workout to your new circumstances. If one arm or leg is immobile, exercise the other side. Studies show that the side you don’t use also benefits when you do that. Focus on your posture and keep your head erect.
People with limited mobility get a better workout in water.
When your body is in water, it’s more buoyant, and there’s less pressure on your body. Water is denser than air, so it works your muscles more. The resistance is 12 times that of dry land. If you can’t swim, use floating devices when you do exercises. Go slowly and stop if it hurts. Water exercises are excellent for people with arthritis and joint pain.
- Always check with your healthcare professional to make sure it’s safe for you to exercise. If your injury is on your lower body, exercise your upper body. Resistance bands are perfect for this situation.
- If you’re in a chair and need some assistance getting out of the chair, upper arm strength can help. Practice pushing your body up using your arms. You don’t need to lift off the seat at first, build to that point.
- If you’re in a chair and need some assistance getting out of the chair, upper arm strength can help. Practice pushing your body up using your arms. You don’t need to lift off the seat at first, work to reach that point.
- If you have a physical therapist, ask for extra exercises you can do in your room. Do short sessions throughout the day. The more you move, the more you improve circulation. Improved circulation helps heal and build muscles.
For more information, contact us today at Rising Fitness Gym